Genndy Tartakovsky Leaks Test Footage of His Medieval Mech Epic, The Black Knight, to Win Over Skeptical Studios

Acclaimed animation auteur Genndy Tartakovsky is taking a bold, unconventional approach to get his passion project, the feature film The Black Knight, greenlit. Following years in development, and facing hesitation from studios unsure of the film’s theatrical prospects, the creator of Samurai Jack and Primal recently leaked test animation footage online in an effort to harness fan excitement and force a studio’s hand.

The move mirrors the famous “leaking” of the Deadpool test footage that ultimately convinced Fox to move forward with the film a decade ago, and Tartakovsky hopes the surge of public support will finally push the project past the development stage.

The Black Knight is described as an adult animated action movie, a departure from the family-friendly fare of Tartakovsky’s highly successful Hotel Transylvania franchise. The core concept is a fascinating blend of medieval fantasy and mechanical ingenuity.

Set in the grim backdrop of the 14th century, the film centers on a knight who operates a massive, 20-foot-tall suit of armor. Dispensing with magic or sci-fi tropes, Tartakovsky’s hook is that this colossal “mech” is controlled using purely period-appropriate technology: ropes, pulleys, and levers.

Tartakovsky has stated that he and the team developed the project for several years, primarily with Sony Pictures Animation, and completed the script. However, despite the studio liking the concept, they remained apprehensive, fearing that an original, action-heavy adult animation feature would not find a sufficient audience in a theatrical release.

Facing a roadblock, Tartakovsky posted the “down and dirty test” footage on social media, admitting the risky maneuver “might get me in trouble,” but justifying it as a necessary attempt to “try a new strategy.” The clip reportedly showcased the towering knight armor in a dynamic battle sequence against a nimbler opponent, giving the public a first look at the film’s visceral, action-driven style, which is a hallmark of the director’s work on shows like Primal.

The director’s recent history with studio projects may explain his urgency. His previous adult animated film, the R-rated comedy Fixed, was initially shelved by Warner Bros. during a cost-cutting spree, only to be later picked up by Netflix.

While the story details for The Black Knight are still closely guarded, the animation master confirmed the film is certainly “adult” in tone and could be aiming for a PG-13 or even an R rating. Regardless of the final classification, the goal is clear: to deliver a visually stunning, mechanically unique, and action-packed animated epic that proves original animation can be a massive draw.

The fate of The Black Knight now rests with the fans, as Tartakovsky hopes the groundswell of excitement from his leaked footage will finally convince a major studio to greenlight his medieval mechanical masterpiece.